The anterior insular cortex mediates higher-order threat learning and memory
Learning about potential threats is indispensable for survival, and its deficits underlie numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. Human brain imaging suggests the anterior insular cortex (AIC) as a key neural correlate of threat learning, yet its mechanistic role remains unclear. Leveraging multimodal systems neuroscience approaches, we demonstrate that AIC excitatory neurons, specifically layer 5…
The anterior insular cortex (AIC) plays a crucial role in learning about potential threats, a skill vital for survival, yet its precise mechanistic function has been elusive. Through the use of multimodal systems neuroscience techniques, researchers have discovered that AIC excitatory neurons, particularly layer 5 pyramidal neurons projecting to the basolateral amygdala, are critical for higher-order threat learning and memory.
These neurons become indispensable when a predictor of an aversive event is temporally separated from the actual event, or when predictive information is interspersed within a broader context. However, the AIC is not necessary for basic, temporally contiguous threat learning.
Interestingly, the AIC not only facilitates memory formation but also plays a role in regulating the intensity of fear expression during memory retrieval, depending on the context. This bidirectional control is achieved by engaging different groups of AIC neurons. In summary, these findings reveal a novel circuit mechanism through which the AIC regulates higher-order threat learning and memory in a bidirectional manner.
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